Job Discussion Forums

[puiwaihin]

I understand that the interview process for NETS only admits you to the scheme so that you can receive the pay and benefits-- actually getting the job depends on a second interview with an individual principal.

My main question is this: For the second interview, the one with a specific school, what is the procedure? Is this necessarily a face to face interview, or are they also conducted by phone or video conferencing? I'm sure for those living in HK already that a face to face interview would be great, but what about those not already there?

What other procedures should someone be aware of? I read about needing to apply to be either a registered teacher (if you have a recognized teaching license) or a permitted teacher (if you don't). You need to first be hired by a school, then apply, but is there a deadline or anything else like that I should keep in mind?

Is there anything needed to process the work visa (like a medical exam or criminal background check) that can be done earlier to make things a bit smoother?

Thanks.

[munasa]

I'm not aware of a second interview being common practice. After the EdB acceptance, names of successful candidates are distributed to schools looking for NETs. The schools then contact candidate/s they would like to hire. MAYBE they talk to some of them on the phone, which could be seen as a type of interview. Perhaps when successful candidates take the initiative and contact schools themselves, there may be a second interview.

You can prepare for teacher registration by gathering together transcripts from secondary school, university and/or college, plus certificates. I'm not sure about a police clearance, but I would recommend getting one, just in case. The EdB might already have asked to see it, or will in the future.

Teacher registration involves lots of paperwork, but I don't think there's a deadline. Do it after you start working.

Here's a link to EdB information about teacher registration:

http://www.edb.gov.hk/index.aspx?nodeID=268&langno=1

[Horizontal Hero]

I have had two NET posotions, and was required to be interviewed for both. I find it hard to believe any principal would hire any staff member without an interview. So expect to have to be interviewed again. For my first position I was living in China, and they rang me by phone. There was a formal first interview, and then a follow up call from the English panel chair (head teacher). I got the job. But I later found out that they also interviewed another four potential NETS at the school itself, so getting the interview was no guarantee of getting the job (at least not in that case). For my second job, I was already in HK, and was interviewed at the school. I was the only person they interviewed, and it was past the end of the school year, so they were a bit desperate. I had already ben offered another four jobs (after interview) but had declined those.

As a first time NET, you will almost certainly have less choice. For my first interview, I was asked a few questions about my teaching experinece, whether I wanted to work on weekends, whether I could do choral speaking ("Huh?"), and so on.

Once you get notified that you have passed the first EDB interview, be proactive. Contact the EDB every week or two. Give them all neccesary documents. Maks sure you have statements from all previous employers, including details of age-groups, subjects taught, Full/Time or P/T. These docs have to be correct down to the last detail. Otherwise the EDB will reject them. So find out exactly what they want. As for teacher registration, that will come later. So don't sweat it at this stage.